Allah, the Most High, wants us to go to Paradise, and He created a place for each one of us there. You, and all of humanity are invited by the Creator Himself:
… And Allah invites ˹all˺ to the Home of Peace and guides whoever He wills to the Straight Path. (Quran, 10:25)
With our free will we can choose to accept His invitation, by believing in Him, and following His Guidance.
Will you accept His invitation?
Let’s discover what you can do to accept this blessed invitation to Paradise, what Dar us-Salam means and five action points to claim your place in Jannah and get super-motivated to apply them instantly.
Get ready to revive your hope to the fullest and face daily life fresh and strong and join us in our journey to Paradise!
A Stress-Busting, Hope-Giving Verse in the Quran
You know about Paradise but sometimes it all feels far away. Just then it is time to remind yourself how real the rewards are that are awaiting you as a believer in the Gardens of Wonders.
This hadith and verse are true hope-givers, mind-ticklers, and stress-busters!
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Allah, The Exalted and Most High said: I have prepared for My pious worshipers such things as no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard of, and no mind has ever thought of. All that is reserved, besides what you have seen, is nothing.’ Then he recited: No person knows what is kept hidden for them from the coolness of their eyes as a reward for what they used to do. (Quran 32:17) (Al-Bukhari)
What is Dar-us-Salam?
Your invitation is there; it’s up to us to accept it and find the peace we so intensely need in both worlds. But what does Dar-us Salam mean? It literally means home or abode (dar) of peace and safety, or well-being (salam).
The root salama makes Islam, to enter into salam. Islam means to enter into peace and to be at peace with or reconciled with the decrees and commands of Allah; the Muslim surrenders or submits to Allah.
One of Allah’s Beautiful Names is As-Salam; He is the only Source and Giver of true peace and safety, inwards and outwards.
The greeting of Islam ‘assalamu alaykum’ really means: “you are safe from me; you will not receive any evil from me.” And for example, qalbun saleem, means a sound heart which is unblemished.
Paradise is called Dar-us Salam: because it is free from all pain, death, worries, and ill-speech, and it is a place of safety. Allah, the Most High, says:
For them will be the home of peace (Paradise) with their Lord. And He will be their Protector because of what they used to do. (Quran, 6:127)
A major stress-factor is dealing with offensive or unjust speech; words can hurt. Paradise is a place where its speech is salaam, free of all shouting, lying, harshness and negativity! Allah said:
In an elevated garden, wherein they will hear no unsuitable speech. Within it is a flowing spring. Within it are couches raised high and cups put in place and cushions lined up and carpets spread around. (Quran, 88:9-16)
It is Dar-us Salam because there will be no arguments, fights or hatred amongst its inhabitants. The Prophet Muhammad said:
They will neither have differences nor hatred amongst themselves; their hearts will be as if one heart. (Al-Bukhari)
Allah says:
And We will remove whatever is in their breasts of resentment, [so they will be] brothers, on thrones facing each other. (Quran, 15:47)
How to Accept the Invitation to Paradise: 5 Action Points
1. Submit
Surrender to Allah As-Salam so you can be secure. If you submit – Islam – you will get Allah’s salaam. Believing is to follow the guidance and do the actions (deeds).
For them therein is fruit, and for them is whatever they request [or wish] [And] “Peace,” a word from a Merciful Lord. (Quran, 36:57-58)
Continually remind yourself of Dar-us Salam so you will strive to do as many good deeds as possible in order to receive the salaam of Allah and be safe and secure in Paradise.
2. Ask Allah for Good Character
Abu Umamah Al-Bahili reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
I guarantee a house in Jannah for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right; and I guarantee a home in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even for the sake of fun; and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Jannah for one who has good manners. (Abu Dawud)
3. Supplicate for Taqwa
Allah says:
And those who feared their Lord will be led to the Garden in crowds, until behold, they arrive there. Its gates will be opened, and its keepers will say: ‘Peace be upon you! You have done well! Enter here, to dwell therein. (Quran 39:73)
Use this (part of a) supplication of the Prophet Muhammad and teach it to others:
Allaahumma aati nafsee taqwaahaa (O Allah! Grant my soul its dutifulness (taqwa) (Muslim)
4. Say the Dua After Ablution to Open All Gates of Paradise
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Whoever performs wudu’ and does it well, then says: “Ashhadu an la ilaha ill-Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh (I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his slave and Messenger),” eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, and he may enter through whichever one he wishes. (Sunan an-Nasa’i)
What an amazing reward for a ten second deed; convey it to others!
5. Ask for Guidance
… And Allah invites ˹all˺ to the Home of Peace and guides whoever He wills to the Straight Path. (Quran, 10:25)
You need to accept the invitation to entering Dar us-Salam, but you can only do so by the guidance of Allah. So ask, or rather beg for guidance!
Each time you say ihdinas siratal mustaqeem (Guide us on the straight Path) in Surah Al Fatihah, feel it and mean it. Use this beautiful and simple supplication for guidance (huda):
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah said to me:
Recite: Allahummah-dinee wa saddidnee (O Allah! Direct me to the Right Path and make me adhere to the Straight Path). (Muslim)
Memorize it, use it daily and convey it to others, by Allah’s will!
Ibn Uthaymeen said in Sharh Saheeh Al Bukhari:
Success is not that you are successful with anything in this world, rather success is that you are saved from the fire and that you enter paradise.
We ask Allah As-Salam, to give us peace and security in this life and to enter us in Dar-us Salam with all its beauties and Eternal Peace.
Ameen
(From Discovering Islam archive)